Adjustable support arm for video monitor

ABSTRACT

An extension arm has an inner end mounted to a base plate for rotation about a first vertical axis, and an outer end supporting a head assembly. The head assembly has a lower disc fixed to the arm and an upper disc mounted to the lower disc for rotation about a second vertical axis. A first clevis is secured to the upper disc, and includes a first clevis pin passing through the lower end of a connection arm about a first horizontal axis. Adjustable locking means are provided in the first clevis pin, to interlock the first clevis with the connection arm in a selected rotational position about the first horizontal axis. The upper end of the connection arm is secured to a second clevis with a second clevis pin about a second horizontal axis. The second clevis is mounted to a monitor plate which supports the video monitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The subject matter of this Application relates generally to the article disclosed in U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/244,753, filed by Applicants on Dec. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to apparatus for supporting computer video monitors above a chair, desk, or table. More particularly, the invention pertains to a support arm for video monitors and related accessories, providing adjustable positioning through multiple planes and about multiple axes of rotation for the convenience and comfort of the user.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Computer video monitors have been supported by a variety of base mounts typically allowing rotational adjustment about a vertical axis and forward and backward tilting adjustment of the viewing plane of the monitor. These base mounts include a foot portion, designed to rest on a support surface such as a computer cabinet or a desktop. Such simple mounts have proven adequate for most desktop computer applications where the base mount is maintained in a fixed position on a support surface. The user is typically sitting in a chair adjacent the desk upon which the video monitor is supported, so there is no necessity to move the monitor out of the way to facilitate ingress or egress of the user. An example of such an adjustable monitor base mount is the Tilt/Swivel Support For Personal Computer Monitor, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,068, issued to Chase et al.

Other arrangements for supporting video monitors either for use with computers or for other purposes, rely upon a base and an extension arm to support the monitor. Different connections between the base and a support surface or structure are shown in the prior art. For example, Des. No. 314,505, granted to Chen for a Support For A Computer Monitor, appears to include a base clamp for attachment to a desk or table. Similarly, Des. No. 325,868, issued to Bartok, shows a Computer Monitor Support Arm having a “C” clamp base. And, Des. No. 366,254, granted to Lynch et al., illustrates a Computer Monitor Support Arm employing a base having downwardly extending ears or fingers for attachment to a housing or other structure.

Articulated arms, allowing selective positioning and adjustment of a video monitor for viewing and/or storage, are also shown in the prior art. Exemplary is U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,008 issued to Sweere et al., for a Suspension System For Video Monitor Or Other Equipment. A four bar linkage system including a weight counterbalance and gas springs, is shown. And, U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,443, granted to Adcock et al., shows a Suspended Television And Video Monitor. This construction relies upon a scissor gimbal mounted on a wall in combination with a ball-and-socket assembly at its remote end to support the television receiver in the desired location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a horizontal extension arm having a vertically oriented inner end. The inner end is mounted to a base plate for rotation about a first vertical axis. The base plate is conveniently secured to a support structure, such as an armchair, a desk, or other room furniture. The extension arm also has an outer end which is remote from the inner end. As the inner end is rotated about its axis, the extension arm may be adjustably located through an arc lying in a horizontal plane.

A head assembly, comprised of a lower disc and an upper disc, is also provided. The lower disc is attached to the outer end of the extension arm. The lower disc includes an upper surface, having a centrally positioned, circular raised portion. The upper disc includes a lower surface having an outer ring and an inner circular recess adapted for mating engagement with the upper surface of the lower disc. The upper disc is mounted to the lower disc for rotation about a second vertical axis, with their respective surfaces in rotatable sliding engagement.

A first clevis is secured to the top side of the upper disc. The first clevis includes a first clevis pin assembly passing through the lower end of a connection arm about a first horizontal axis. Adjustable locking means are provided in the first clevis pin assembly to interlock the first clevis with the connection arm in a selected rotational position about the first horizontal axis.

The upper end of the connection arm is secured to a second clevis with a second clevis pin about a second horizontal axis. The second clevis is mounted to a monitor plate which supports the video monitor and other accessories, such as a loudspeaker.

A keyboard plate is attached to the movable portion of a pivot bracket about a third horizontal axis. The fixed portion of the bracket, in turn, is attached to the underside of the lower disc. The angle of the keyboard plate determines the angular disposition of a computer keyboard resting upon the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable support arm for a computer video monitor of the present invention being used in conjunction with a reclining chair;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from the rear, showing the video monitor plate attached to a flat screen video monitor and a loudspeaker, and a keyboard plate depending from the underside of the support arm;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the front, with the video monitor, loudspeaker, and keyboard plate being removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the support arm, showing the connection arm and video monitor plate being rotatably adjustable through an arc about a first horizontal axis;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the head assembly, showing the first clevis pin assembly being translated into a disengaged position in preparation for adjustment of the connection arm;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 5, but with the first clevis pin assembly disengaged and the connection arm being rotatable through an arc;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the support arm, showing the video monitor plate independently being rotatably adjustable through an arc about a second horizontal axis;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view, showing the extension arm being rotated about the first vertical axis into a selected position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the head assembly showing the video monitor plate being rotated about the second vertical axis into a selected position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view, taken along the line I 0- 10, shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of the head assembly and the lower end of the connection arm;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional detail view of the first clevis pin and clevis pin sleeve showing two keys and the accommodating recesses;

FIG. 13 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken through the head assembly, with the first clevis pin in a locked position;

FIG. 14 is a view as in FIG. 13, but with the first clevis pin in an unlocked position;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable support arm provided with a short connection arm and a circular flange attached to a CRT video monitor support plate; and,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective of the head assembly, the short connection arm, and the circular flange used in the alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Making particular reference to FIG. 1, the adjustable support arm 11 for a computer video monitor 12 is shown mounted to the arm 13 of a reclining chair 14. A computer, DVD player, or video game apparatus (not shown), may be located within the body or the arms of the reclining chair, with hinged panels allowing easy access for loading software or making wire interconnections therewith. This use for support arm 11 is only exemplary, as the apparatus of the present invention may also be mounted to a desk, table, bench, or other piece of home or office furniture as needed. Video monitor 12 may be of any design, including plasma, LCD, or TFT, but the monitor is preferably thin, has a flat screen, and is lightweight.

The adjustable support arm 11 includes a horizontal extension arm 16 having a vertically oriented inner end 17. The inner end 17 is journalled through a base plate 18 for rotation about a first vertical axis 19. Base plate 18 is secured to arm 13 by a plurality of bolts 21. Extension arm 16 also includes an outer end 22, remote from inner end 17. As inner end 17 is rotated about its axis 19, the extension arm 16 may be adjustably located through an arc lying in a horizontal plane (See, e.g., FIG. 8).

A head assembly 23, comprised of a lower disc 24 and an upper disc 26, is also provided. The lower disc 24 is attached to the outer end 22 of the extension arm. The lower disc includes an upper surface 27, having an outer ring 28 and a centrally positioned, circular raised portion 28. The upper disc includes a lower surface 31 having an outer ring 32 and an centrally positioned, circular recess 33 adapted for mating engagement with the upper surface 27 of the lower disc 24. To provide a slight degree of spacing between the ring surfaces, a circular plate 34 is provided.

A connection shaft 36, having opposing threaded ends, is included to secure lower disc 24 to upper disc 26. For the purpose of passing shaft 36, a bore 37 is provided through disc 24 and a bore 38 is provided in plate 34. An internally threaded bolt 39 secures the lower end of shaft 36 within lower disc 24. An internally threaded plug 41 passes through a bore 42, and secures the upper end of shaft 36 within upper disc 26. In this manner, the upper disc 26 is mounted to the lower disc 24 for rotation about a second vertical axis 43, with their respective mating surfaces in rotatable sliding engagement through circular plate 34.

A first clevis 44, having opposing side plates 46 and 47, extends from the top side of upper disc 26. Side plate 46 includes a bore 48, and side plate 47 includes a bore 49. A keyway 51 is provided in the lower sidewall of bore 48, and a keyway 52 is provided in the lower sidewall of bore 49. A circular spline receiver 53 is press-fitted into bore 52 within side plate 47. A connection arm 54 includes an upper end 56 and a lower end 57. A bore 58 is provided within the lower end 57, and washers 59 and 61 are included on either end of the bore 58, abutting the sides of end 57. A keyway 62 is provided in the lower sidewall of bore 58. As assembled, the combination of lower end 57, washer 59, and washer 61, fits snugly between side plates 46 and 47.

For the purpose of securing the connection arm within first clevis 44, a first clevis pin assembly 63 is provided. Pin assembly includes a knob 64 which is threadably attached to the externally threaded end 66 of a first clevis pin 67. The other end of pin 67 includes a threaded bore 68 and a keyway 69. A splined collar 71 having a keyway 72 nests over the other end of pin 67 and is restrained against rotation by key 73. Collar 71 is axially secured against pin 67 by means of a frusto-conical retainer 74 and a screw 76 threaded into bore 68.

Clevis pin 67 passes through and is coaxial with a pin tube 77. A keyway 78 is provided in the lower sidewall of tube 77. A key slot 79 is provided in the sidewall of pin 67. A key 81 secures clevis pin 67 within pin tube 77, allowing pin 67 to slide in axial relation within tube 77, but preventing relative rotation between the two. In addition, tube 77 includes a key cutout 82 which extends through its sidewall. A key 83 fits both within cutout 82 and within keyway 62 of bore 58. In that manner, when tube 77 is inserted into bore 58 of lower end 57, tube 77 is effectively secured to connection arm 54, and the two rotate together.

An annular flange 84 is provided within tube 77. (See, FIG. 12). A spring 86 fits over first clevis pin 67, between the inner end of knob 64 and the annular flange 84. Spring 86 thereby provides a resilient axial bias to pin 67, urging pin 67 into a nested position, as shown in FIG. 13. In the nested position, splined collar 71 is fully engaged with spline receiver 53, and the connector arm 54 is secured against rotation with respect to first clevis 44.

In the event the user desires to reposition connector arm 54 within first clevis 44, knob 64 is pushed inwardly toward first clevis 44. As shown in FIG. 14, this causes collar 71 to disengage from spline receiver 53, allowing connector arm 54 to be rotated freely into the desired position about a first horizontal axis 87 (See, FIG. 4). Then, knob 64 is released, and spring 86 causes first clevis pin 67 to translate into a nested position, and collar 71 and receiver 53 are once again fully engaged.

The upper end 56 of the connection arm 54 is secured within a second clevis 88 by means of a second clevis pin 89. The axis of second clevis pin 89 is coincident with a second horizontal axis 91, shown in FIG. 8. The second clevis 88 extends from a monitor plate 92, which is typically directly secured to the back side of the video monitor 12 by means of screws. Accessories such as a loudspeaker 93 and a video camera 94, may be mounted to the upper end of monitor plate 92. Second clevis pin 89 provides selectively adjustable compressive forces against second clevis 88 and contained upper end 56. Once appropriately adjusted to provide a certain degree of resistance against gravitational rotation, the monitor plate, monitor, and any attached accessories may be manually rotated around the second horizontal axis 91 into the desired position, as shown in FIG. 7.

A keyboard plate 96 is attached to the movable portion of a conventional pivot bracket 97 about a third horizontal axis 98. The fixed portion of bracket 97 is attached to the underside of the lower disc 24. The angle of the keyboard plate 96 determines the angular disposition of a computer keyboard (not shown) which rests upon the plate.

In use, the adjustable support arm 11 may be swung out of the way about inner end 17, to allow the user ingress to and egress from the reclining chair 14. Owing to the adjustability features of the head assembly 23 in conjunction with the first and second clevis arrangements, the video monitor 12 may be positioned precisely as desired. Once the video monitor 12 is positioned, the angle of the computer keyboard (if used), may be adjusted for the greatest user comfort as well.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of an adjustable support arm 99, designed for use with a CRT video monitor 100. This alternative embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except that a short connection arm 101 extends upwardly from the first clevis 44. As is evident from FIG. 16, connection arm 101 is considerably shorter than connection arm 54, discussed above. In addition, a circular flange 102 is provided at the upper end of connection arm 101. Flange 102 is screw-attached to a CRT video monitor support plate 103.

In this arrangement, there is no second clevis and no second horizontal axis about which adjustments to the viewed plane of the video monitor are made. Rather, all adjustments to the viewed plane of the video monitor 100 are made through selective translation of the first clevis pin assembly with the knob 64, and rotation of the connection arm 101 into the desired locked position. Nevertheless, in all other respects, the construction and operation of the adjustable support arm 99 and the adjustable support arm 11, are identical. 

1. An adjustable support arm for a video monitor, comprising: a. a base plate; b. an extension arm having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being mounted to said base plate for rotation about a first vertical axis; c. a head assembly having a lower disc fixed to said outer end of said extension arm and an upper disc mounted to said lower disc for rotation about a second vertical axis; d. a first clevis secured to said upper disc, said first clevis including a first clevis pin; e. a connection arm having a lower end and an upper end, said first clevis pin passing through a bore in said lower end about a first horizontal axis. f. adjustable locking means in the first clevis pin, to interlock the first clevis with the connection arm in a selected rotational position about said first horizontal axis; g. a video monitor plate; and, h. a second clevis secured to said video mounting plate, said second clevis including a second clevis pin passing through said upper end of said connection arm about a second horizontal axis.
 2. An apparatus as in claim 1 including a keyboard plate, said keyboard plate being pivotally attached to an underside of said lower disc about a third horizontal axis.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said first clevis includes a first side plate and a second side plate and in which said adjustable locking means comprises splines on one end of said first clevis pin, and a spline receiver in said second side plate.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 3 in which a clevis pin tube is provided in said bore of said lower end of said connection arm, said clevis pin tube including tube key to engage a connection arm keyway.
 5. An apparatus as in claim 4 in which said first clevis pin slidably translates within said clevis pin tube, and in which said first clevis pin includes a pin key to engage a second side plate keyway.
 6. An apparatus as in claim 5 further including resilient bias means to urge said splines of said first clevis pin into engagement with said spline receiver.
 7. An apparatus as in claim 6 in which said resilient bias means comprises a spring in coaxial relation with said first clevis pin.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said video monitor plate is planar and includes means for direct attachment to a flat screen video monitor.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 8 in which a loudspeaker is attached to an upper end of said video monitor plate.
 10. An adjustable support arm for a video monitor, comprising: a. a base plate; b. an extension arm having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being mounted to said base plate for rotation about a first vertical axis; c. a head assembly having a lower disc fixed to said outer end of said extension arm and an upper disc mounted to said lower disc for rotation about a second vertical axis; d. a connection arm having a lower end and an upper end; e. first means for rotatably attaching said lower end of said connection arm to said upper disc about a first horizontal axis, and for selectively locking said connection arm in a selected rotational position; f. a video monitor plate; and, g. second means for rotatably attaching said upper end of said connection arm to said video monitor plate about a second horizontal axis.
 11. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said base plate is mounted to an arm of a chair.
 12. An apparatus as in claim 10 including a keyboard plate, said keyboard plate being pivotally attached to an underside of said lower disc.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said first means for rotatably attaching said lower end of said connection arm to said upper disc comprises a first clevis and a first clevis pin.
 14. An apparatus as in claim 13 in which said means for selectively locking said connection arm in a selected rotational position comprises splines on one end of said first clevis pin, and a spline receiver in a side plate of said first clevis.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 14 further including resilient bias means to urge said splines of said first clevis pin into engagement with said spline receiver.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said video monitor plate is planar and includes means for direct attachment to a flat screen video monitor.
 17. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said second means for rotatably attaching said upper end of said connection arm to said video monitor plate comprises a second clevis and a second clevis pin.
 18. An adjustable support arm for a video monitor, comprising: a. a base plate; b. an extension arm having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being mounted to said base plate for rotation about a first vertical axis; c. a head assembly having a lower disc fixed to said outer end of said extension arm and an upper disc mounted to said lower disc for rotation about a second vertical axis; d. a first clevis secured to said upper disc, said first clevis including a first clevis pin; e. a connection arm having a lower end and an upper end, said first clevis pin passing through said lower end about a first horizontal axis. f. adjustable locking means in the first clevis pin, to interlock the first clevis with the connection arm in a selected rotational position about said first horizontal axis; g. a video monitor plate; and, h. a flange on said upper end of said connection arm for attachment to said video monitor plate.
 19. An apparatus as in claim 18 in which said video monitor plate includes an upper planar surface for the support of a CRT video monitor.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 19 including a keyboard plate, said keyboard plate being pivotally attached to an underside of said lower disc. 